Overview
An attestation is a validator's signed vote confirming the validity of a block in proof-of-stake consensus. Attestations are aggregated to finalize blocks and track validator honesty. They are the core unit of participation.
How It Works
Each validator produces attestations for blocks in its assigned slots, voting on the source and target checkpoints. These votes are aggregated into committees. Honest and timely attestations earn rewards, while errors risk penalties.
Why It Matters
Attestations determine which chain becomes canonical and whether blocks are finalized. They are how validators secure the network and earn rewards. Their integrity is essential to proof-of-stake safety.
Related Concepts
Attestations are produced by Validators and aggregate into Checkpoints. They relate to Epochs and Slashing conditions.